Mentoring Gifted and Talented Individuals

Mentor–Student Matching

Although talented students and their families may choose mentors based on a mentor's ability to set challenging standards and high expectations, they must also keep in mind that effective mentoring relationships can involve emotional bonds between students and their mentors. Mentors may have to guide their mentees through setbacks and discouragement, and like most significant human relations, mentor–mentee relationships may involve conflicts and compromises. Healthy bonds are more likely to develop when mentors and mentees share similar attitudes, values, and lifestyles.

Role Models

Effective mentorships look different at different stages in the talent development process. In the more advanced stages mentors generally serve as role models, leading as much by example as by instruction. Interviews with young scientists (who became future laureates) indicated that higher standards put forth by their mentors were internalized through (a) the mentors' own exemplary behavior and work, thus providing a model to be emulated; (b) the insistence that high standards be met by the mentees; and (c) the mentors' critical evaluation of their mentee's work.

Socialization of Mentors' Students

Mentors provide their mentees with the knowledge needed to actively engage in and excel in the chosen domain, demonstrating how to deal gracefully with both success and failure. In essence, mentors prepare protégées for a position at the top of their field. Mentees not only further their exploration and interest in a field, but also learn about the lifestyles, values, roles, and activities associated with the elite experts in their specific careers. They also learn the criteria for determining a good research or artistic question, and the appropriate times and ways in which to take creative risks. Thus, through the mentor's behavior, the student learns how to develop a reputation in his or her field as an elite professional. A mentee benefits from his or her relationship with the mentor not just by acquiring specific knowledge but also by learning work methodologies and styles of thought.

In order to socialize their students into a domain or field, mentors may also suggest that their mentees have a variety of experiences outside of formal instruction. For example, participation in competitions can serve as a stimulus for further interest and exploration of the field as well as introducing mentees to other interested young people who can provide peer stimulation. In addition, having a leading expert in the field as a mentor helps the mentee gain individual recognition in the field.

Mentoring Across Stages of Talent Development

At each stage of the talent development process, the goals of mentoring are different, the relationship is more or less intense, and the method by which mentors are selected changes. The process can be described in a number of ways. In terms of content and skills, mentors develop their mentees' abilities into competencies. These competencies are then transformed into expertise through a series of challenges involving high-level knowledge and skills. Through this experience, mentors encourage seizing rather than dreading difficult challenges, such as overcoming disenchantment and failure.

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